A recent pair of “poor outcomes” involving uncertified birthing attendants in the Calgary area has the province’s professional body for midwives worried public confidence in deliveries without a doctor may be shaken.

Diane Rach, president of the College of Alberta Midwives, says the province’s health authority became aware of the home births that went awry after the expectant mothers or their babies had to be rushed to emergency wards at city hospitals.

“There was enough concern that Alberta Health Services informed the Calgary Police Service who is now investigating,” Rach said.

“We’re very worried because the complications that arise during birth can be life threatening, so it’s essential those attending an out-of-hospital birth are properly trained and certified.”

Managing labour or delivering a baby are activities that by law can only be performed by physicians, midwives, nurses or ambulance medics in an emergency situation.

Since the province began funding midwives in 2009, the number practising in Alberta has more than quadrupled and the number of babies they deliver has doubled to approximately four per cent of the total.

But Rach said demand for the services of the 80 registered midwives still outstrips supply and creates a market for an estimated 10 “uncertified” or “traditional” birthing attendants.

“I’m told you can find their ads online,” she said.

“Midwives have the training to monitor the baby’s heartbeat properly for signs of distress and drugs to manage hemorrhaging by the mother, but these unregistered practitioners are often not qualified and they don’t have access to a hospital if there are problems.”

For example, one self-described “traditional birth attendant” in the Calgary area advertises on Kijiji as a “certified doula” or labour coach who has “studied midwifery” and offers “non-medical” birth support.

“I don’t carry medication or surgical equipment, but do keep some herbs and tinctures for use with some of the complications that may arise,” the ad says.

“My focus during pregnancy is on minimizing risks through optimal nutrition and a healthy lifestyle.”

A phone call Sunday from a Herald reporter seeking further information was not returned.

Three years ago, the province’s superior court ordered an Edmonton-area woman to stop delivering babies and implying to expectant mothers that she was a registered midwife.

Since the college came into existence in 2013, Rach said there have been at least three other cases involving unregistered birth attendants that have referred to the province for investigation.

With the first class in Mount Royal University’s four-year midwifery program set to graduate next year, she said she is hopeful the supply of practitioners will start to meet demand.

In the interim, she said the college is working to assess and certify midwives arriving from Britain, Australia and New Zealand who have the equivalent knowledge and training.

“The number of midwives is growing steadily, but so far there’s still not enough to meet the demand,” Rach said.

“The problem is we need to get more education programs going across Canada.”

Women can confirm whether someone is a registered midwife by phoning or e-mailing the college’s Calgary office.

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